Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts and Islands

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The northernmost range of the Himalaya is known as the:

   • A.Shiwalik
   • B.Himadri (Greater Himalaya)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Himachal
   • D.Purvanchal

   Explanation: The Himadri (Greater Himalaya) is the northernmost range; south of it lie the Himachal (Lesser) and Shiwalik ranges.

2. Q2.The highest peak located within India is:

   • A.Nanda Devi
   • B.Kanchenjunga✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mount Everest
   • D.Kamet

   Explanation: Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) on the Sikkim-Nepal border is the highest peak in India; Everest lies in Nepal and Tibet.

3. Q3.The Northern Plains of India have been formed mainly by:

   • A.volcanic lava
   • B.glacial moraines
   • C.wind-blown loess
   • D.alluvium deposited by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Rivers carried silt from the Himalaya and spread it over a vast plain.

4. Q4.The highest peak of peninsular India is:

   • A.Doddabetta
   • B.Anamudi✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mahendragiri
   • D.Guru Shikhar

   Explanation: Anamudi (2,695 m) in the Anaimalai Hills of Kerala is the highest peak south of the Himalaya.

5. Q5.The outermost and southernmost range of the Himalaya is the:

   • A.Shiwalik✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Himadri
   • C.Pir Panjal
   • D.Karakoram

   Explanation: The Shiwaliks are the youngest and lowest range, lying just north of the plains.

6. Q6.The Western Ghats are also known as the:

   • A.Nilgiri
   • B.Purvanchal
   • C.Aravalli
   • D.Sahyadri✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: In Maharashtra and Karnataka the Western Ghats are called Sahyadri.

7. Q7.The Bhabar belt at the foot of the Shiwaliks is characterised by:

   • A.thick clay soil
   • B.porous pebbly deposits in which streams disappear underground✓ Correct Answer
   • C.dense marshy forests
   • D.salt flats

   Explanation: Streams lose water into the porous Bhabar and reappear in the Terai.

8. Q8.The Terai region is a:

   • A.damp, marshy and forested belt south of the Bhabar✓ Correct Answer
   • B.dry desert belt
   • C.high plateau
   • D.coastal lagoon

   Explanation: The springs of the Bhabar re-emerge here, making the land swampy.

9. Q9.Longitudinal valleys between the Lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks, such as Dehradun, are called:

   • A.Terai
   • B.Bhangar
   • C.Duns (Doons)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Khadar

   Explanation: Duns include Dehradun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun.

10. Q10.The oldest range of fold mountains in India is the:

    • A.Himalaya
    • B.Vindhya
    • C.Aravalli✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Western Ghats

    Explanation: The Aravalli range is among the oldest fold mountains in the world and is now heavily worn down.

11. Q11.The Nilgiri Hills form the junction of the:

    • A.Western and Eastern Ghats✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Aravalli and Vindhya
    • C.Himalaya and Karakoram
    • D.Satpura and Mahadeo

    Explanation: The two Ghats meet in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu.

12. Q12.The northern part of the western coastal plain, between Daman and Goa, is called the:

    • A.Malabar coast
    • B.Konkan coast✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Coromandel coast
    • D.Northern Circars

    Explanation: The Konkan coast lies in Maharashtra and Goa; the Malabar coast lies further south in Kerala.

13. Q13.The southern part of the eastern coastal plain, in Tamil Nadu, is known as the:

    • A.Konkan coast
    • B.Kanara coast
    • C.Utkal coast
    • D.Coromandel coast✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Northern Circars lie north of the Coromandel coast in Andhra Pradesh.

14. Q14.The islands of Lakshadweep are of which origin?

    • A.coral (atolls)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.volcanic
    • C.glacial
    • D.alluvial

    Explanation: Lakshadweep consists of coral atolls in the Arabian Sea.

15. Q15.India's only active volcano, Barren Island, is located in the:

    • A.Arabian Sea
    • B.Gulf of Mannar
    • C.Palk Bay
    • D.Andaman Sea✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Barren Island in the Andaman group is the only confirmed active volcano in India.

16. Q16.Chilika, the largest coastal lagoon in India, is in:

    • A.Andhra Pradesh
    • B.Kerala
    • C.Odisha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.West Bengal

    Explanation: Chilika is a brackish-water lagoon on the Odisha coast.

17. Q17.The highest peak of the Nilgiri Hills is:

    • A.Anamudi
    • B.Mahendragiri
    • C.Doddabetta✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Guru Shikhar

    Explanation: Doddabetta (about 2,637 m) lies near Ooty.

18. Q18.The highest peak of the Aravalli range is:

    • A.Doddabetta
    • B.Anamudi
    • C.Guru Shikhar✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dhupgarh

    Explanation: Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) is on Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

19. Q19.The Nathu La pass connects Sikkim with:

    • A.Bhutan
    • B.Nepal
    • C.Bangladesh
    • D.Tibet (China)✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Nathu La is an important border pass between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

20. Q20.In the Northern Plains, the older alluvium found on slightly higher ground is called:

    • A.Bhangar✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Khadar
    • C.Bhabar
    • D.Terai

    Explanation: Bhangar is older alluvium with kankar nodules; Khadar is newer alluvium found in flood plains.